Buffalo Nation - 75893 views

SUPPORT THE RETURNBy Native American Natural Foodsand Indian Land Tenure Foundation

Before buffalo were nearly driven from the Great Plains forever, the Lakota people relied on this sacred animal -- Tatanka -- to meet their basic needs for food, shelter, clothing and ceremony. In this way, the buffalo sustained American Indian people for thousands of years.

Now there's a way for you to help ensure that the buffalo returns to its rightful place in the diets, cultures and economies of American Indian people.

The Tanka Fund, created through a partnership between Native American Natural Foods and the Indian Land Tenure Foundation, is a charitable fund which allows you to directly support programs and activities that will help return buffalo to the Great Plains and bring renewed health and opportunity to Indian communities.

HEALTHY PEOPLE

According to the American Center for Disease Control, Native American people have a 2.3 times higher chance of being diagnosed with diabetes than non-Hispanic whites. And this percentage is even higher among youth. In addition, many Native American communities suffer from a lack of healthy, accessible food options, either due to poor economic conditions or geographic isolation.

Buffalo-based products offer both a traditional, all-natural food source as well as a healthy alternative to other meat products and snack foods. Low in sodium, cholesterol and saturated fat and high in nutrients, buffalo meat is praised for its nutritional value. Reintroducing buffalo into the diets of Native American people is an important step toward achieving cultural and physical healing and wellness in our communities.

Program activities supported by the Tanka Fund include:

Educational programs on healthy eating and lifestyles for children and adults

Food programs that incorporate buffalo products such as:

School lunches

Take home initiatives, such as a backpack program

Elder meals

Other initiatives that support sustainable, healthy food systems in Native American communities

HEALTHY ECOSYSTEMS

As it turns out, buffalo is not only good for the body and spirit, but it's also good for the environment. Recent studies have shown that buffalo ranching offers a sustainable way to better utilize and preserve Native American lands in the Great Plains. Buffalo are much less destructive to the natural environment than cattle and actually help to restore native prairie plants and grasses and mitigate harmful carbon emissions that contribute to global warming. Buffalo production is an environmentally-friendly way to produce traditional, healthy foods using our Native American lands and resources.

Program activities supported by the Tanka Fund include:

Conversion of one million acres of Native American land from cattle to buffalo production

HEALTHY ECONOMIES

There is currently a huge market demand for buffalo meat in the U.S., the highest demand ever documented by the National Bison Association. And yet, according to the USDA, the supply of buffalo is at a seven-year low. As new entities -- farmers, ranchers and big corporations -- discover the market opportunity that buffalo represent, there will be a push for entry into the buffalo production and processing arenas. The Tanka Fund exists to ensure that Native American farmers and ranchers have the information, resources and support they need to enter, expand and benefit from this opportunity to participate in this quickly expanding market.

Program activities supported by the Tanka Fund include:

Research on buffalo production infrastructure status and needs in Indian Country

Survey of current and prospective Native American buffalo producers to determine acreage, herd size, goals, and needs for technical assistance and other resources

Outreach and marketing promoting buffalo production and consumption in Native American communities, including the use of

With your support, the Tanka Fund can help buffalo return to the Great Plains, bringing renewed cultural connections, health and opportunity to Indian communities.

Make a contribution to the Tanka Fund through Indian Land Tenure Foundation's secure online donation site.

Contact us if you would like information about grants available through the Tanka Fund.

The Tanka Fund was founded by Native American Natural Foods as a donor advised fund of the Indian Land Tenure Foundation in 2011. Native American Natural Foods, serving as donor advisor to the Fund, determines the Fund's program priorities and helps to select grant recipients. For more information, go to www.tankafund.org.

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Previous CommentsGuest on Thu Oct 19, 2017 15:4:51 Why are bison called 'buffalo'?Guest on Tue May 9, 2017 11:1:28 It was suggested all humans quit eating meat , which I eat, and while I respect veganism I totally disrespect meat eaters that make jokes about how much animal flesh they consume. It's going to be compromise and I personally want to try here products when the Bison are raised 100% grass fed.Won't be perfect but a ton better than the cheap, overconsumed food animals raised by most farms.Mark on Thu Mar 3, 2016 12:3:46 I just tried Tanka Bites for the first time today. I can not believe how incredibly delicious they are! I will be telling all my friends and family about them and buying more soon! Keep up the good work you do!
Thank you!K on Tue Jan 19, 2016 12:18:20 Are a portion of your profits donated to a charity?Ken from Georgia on Fri Aug 7, 2015 19:55:32 I just watched your story on tv. I am glad to see such a wonderful people of nature and of the land , that have been so mistreated using the Buffalo to help bring them happiness,prosperity and pride.I watched a video many years ago about the return of the Buffalo and how it would help bring positive things.I can't wait to try your products !!!tybo on Sun Aug 2, 2015 21:48:25 I just watched your video the buffalo have returned. I grew up near the paiut tribe and attended school there as a minority I was a white guy.I have life long native american friends and encourage all people to get to know native americans. Iwill be ordering a lot of your products and spreadin the word. thank youFrank on Thu Jun 11, 2015 19:58:27 My wife and I eat buffalo on occasion, and the truth is, it is much healthier than eating beef. We just purchased six packages of the Tanka Bites and we love them. An ecxellent product by members of one of North America's greatest tribes. Thank you.Frank on Thu Jun 11, 2015 19:58:26 My wife and I eat buffalo on occasion, and the truth is, it is much healthier than eating beef. We just purchased six packages of the Tanka Bites and we love them. An ecxellent product by members of one of North America's greatest tribes. Thank you.Jill on Fri Apr 10, 2015 4:22:34 I just watched a few beautiful you tube videos on the Lakota and the buffalo and can't wait to try your product. I wish you the best and thank you.Ben on Sun Dec 28, 2014 14:25:50 What a flavorful and great bar. The original bar is moist and has the best taste of any of the commercial jerkys. I guess we'll be ordering this fine product. Thanks.